Bankruptcies make gift cards worthless
NEW YORK - You know that Sharper Image gift card you got for Christmas? Right now, it's worthless. And other gift cards in your wallet could lose their value, too.

See George Strait and help Hospice of Lubbock too!
Two exciting things are happening in Lubbock on Friday, March 7 - the 19th Annual Mayors' Beans & Cornbread Luncheon and George Strait in concert! Put them both together and it is a win-win for Hospice of Lubbock and the generous person making the highest bid.

Feel better with services from McAlpin Chiropractic
Kevin McAlpin, D.C., P.A. and his team have been providing area residents with high-quality, affordable chiropractic care for more than a decade. They provide care to people of all ages from infants to seniors.

Has your Medicare supplement rate increased? Call Ron Haley Insurance
Nationally, one-third of all nursing home expenses are paid out-of-pocket by individuals and their families, and about half are paid by state Medicaid programs. Long-term care expenses are generally not paid for by Medicare, Medicare supplement insurance, or the major medical health insurance provided by most employers.

Working on your feet can be more comfortable by wearing Z-Coil shoes
According to Web MD¨, up to 85 percent of people in this country will experience foot problems at some point in their lives. Four out of five people will suffer significant back pain and an estimated 18 percent of men and 23 percent of women will suffer significant knee pain. These types of pain are often attributed to many different factors, including a hidden culprit - impact.

Murder shocks neighbors
An East Lubbock neighborhood was stunned by a shooting death in their community that left the victim's grandson in police custody.

Missing 81-year-old city woman found
An 81-year-old woman with Alzheimer's disease was found Sunday after being reported missing for almost 24 hours, according to police and the Texas Department of Public safety.

Yes on McCain, Obama for presidentPRIMARY ELECTION DAY finally has arrived. After weeks of campaigning and political advertisements, it comes down to this day of decision.

Chavez engaging in war of (English) wordsPRESIDENT HUGO Chavez's government is taking its battle against U.S. "imperialism" into Venezuelans' dictionaries, urging state phone company workers to avoid English-language business and tech terms. Newly nationalized CANTV hopes to wean employees and others from words such as "staff" ("equipo" is preferred), "marketing" ("mercadeo") and "password" ("contrasena"). Other English words targeted include "mouse" (the company prefers "raton"), "meeting" ("reunion") and "sponsor" ("patrocinador") - all of which have become common in Latin American countries. The leftist president has sought to counter what he calls U.S. cultural imperialism on all fronts, financing Venezuelan cinema as an alternative to the "dictatorship of Hollywood" and forcing radio stations to play more Venezuelan music.

Time to get served by the mayors
Substantial food, spectacular entertainment and an opportunity to provide financial support for those in adversity can be purchased with a $10 ticket at the door of Lubbock Memorial Civic Center Banquet Hall from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Friday.

Panel: Sickle cell drug underused
WASHINGTON - The news is grim: Ten years after government approval of the first sickle cell treatment, only a tiny fraction of patients use the drug - despite new research showing the disease is far more painful than doctors ever suspected.

Time to get served by the mayors
Substantial food, spectacular entertainment and an opportunity to provide financial support for those in adversity can be purchased with a $10 ticket at the door of Lubbock Memorial Civic Center Banquet Hall from 11 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Friday.

Books can aid gardeners of all skill levels
 "First-time Gardener" by Kim Wilde (Collins, $24.95): Step-by-step advice coupled with illustrated instructions make this a wonderful guide for beginning gardeners. Hardscaping, planting, sowing, seeding and pruning techniques are covered in detail, along with basics such as soil, climate and sunlight requirements. Novices also will learn the intricacies of plant-combining and the how-tos of containers, which remain popular.

Some Lubbock MuseumsAmerican Museum of Agriculture - 1501 Canyon Lake Drive, displays agriculture machinery and artifacts, with exhibits dating to the pioneering years of agriculture on the South Plains. A unique display of 73 pedal tractors and 350 toy tractors is designed to interest children. Admission: $3. 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday. 239-5796.

Road construction
 Marsha Sharp Freeway - A portion of the Marsha Sharp Freeway closed at 10 p.m. Monday so workers can install beams for a pedestrian bridge just east of the Texas Tech Parkway. The highway will be closed between Fourth and 19th streets. It will reopen today at 6 a.m.

Murder shocks neighbors
An East Lubbock neighborhood was stunned by a shooting death in their community that left the victim's grandson in police custody.

Missing 81-year-old city woman found
An 81-year-old woman with Alzheimer's disease was found Sunday after being reported missing for almost 24 hours, according to police and the Texas Department of Public safety.

Road construction
 Marsha Sharp Freeway - A portion of the Marsha Sharp Freeway will close at 10 p.m. today so workers can install beams for a pedestrian bridge just east of the Texas Tech Parkway. The highway will be closed between Fourth and 19th streets. It will reopen Tuesday morning at 6 a.m.

Death noticesPetra Arguijo, 86, of Seagraves died Saturday, March 1, 2008. Services are pending with Mark A. Jones Funeral Directors in Seagraves.

Death noticesPaul R. Buchanan, 83, of Lubbock died Saturday, March 1, 2008. Services will be 10 a.m. Wednesday at Sanders Funeral Home in Lubbock.

Ernest Gene Blackburn
Ernest Gene Blackburn died Feb. 29th. He was born Dec. 7, 1923 to parents, James Othello and Mittilene Blackburn in Stanford. Rheba Campbell of Santa Rosa, Calif. and Johnny Carroll Blackburn of Lubbock are his surviving siblings. Gene married Margaret Ann Talley, from Oklahoma City on Aug. 18th, 1951, in a garden wedding at her parents' home.

Olen Hays
Olen Hays, loving husband, father and grandfather, passed from this life to the arms of his Savior Saturday, March 1, 2008.

Dora Lee Garrett
Mrs. Dora Lee Garrett, 74, passed away at UMC. She was born on Sept. 20, 1933, to Jonah and Gertrude Calvin. She was converted at an early age to Christianity. She was also a devoted friend. She had many friends and loved ones. Dora was very active in the community as a volunteer. She was a faithful member of the Church of Christ. She departed this life on March 1, 2008.

Mary Irene King
Mary Irene King, 86, of Floydada, died on Sunday, March 2, 2008, at the Vista Care Carillon Hospital in Lubbock.

Donnie Blackmon Lewis
Donnie Blackmon Lewis, 60, of Lubbock died Saturday at her home. Funeral services will be Thursday at 2 p.m. in the Franklin-Bartley Chapel, burial will follow in the Meadow Cemetery. Her family will receive friends Wednesday from 6:30 to 8 p.m.
Donnie was born August 14, 1948 to Donald and Ida (Wilson) Blackmon. She was a graduate of Ropesville High School, and she attended South Plains College, and University of Texas. She married Bill Lewis October 21, 1986, in Lovington, N.M. She was a member of St. Luke's Methodist Church, and was a retired bookkeeper.

Ann Roberts
Ann Roberts, 64, of Meeker died Sunday, March 2, 2008, in Shawnee. Services will be 2 p.m. Wednesday, March 5, 2008, at Walker Funeral Services, with Rev. Larry Sparks officiating. Walker Funeral Service will handle the arrangements.

Jerry Lynn Slack
Private memorial services were held for Jerry Lynn Slack, 63, of Lubbock. Jerry died Feb. 27, 2008, after a brief illness. He was born on July 27, 1944, in Elida, N.M., and graduated from Portales High School in 1962. Jerry served in the United States Army and was preceded in death by his parents, Henry Wallace Slack and Bessie Beatrice Slack.

Walter Michael Windsor
Walter Michael Windsor, age 89, died Feb. 29, 2008. He moved to Lubbock in 1963 and managed KLBK TV and Radio. Details of his life are provided at www.walterwindsor.com. Walter Windsor is survived by four children, six grandchildren, five great-grandchildren, and one brother. A celebration of the life of Walter M. Windsor will be held at the Orlando Repertory Theatre in Orlando, Fla. on March 10th, from 7 to 10 p.m.

Tech gets ready for Jayhawks
Texas Tech players were asked on Saturday how soon they had to forget about their 83-80 victory over No. 5 Texas.

Errors cost Tech in
loss to No. 6 Rice
HOUSTON - After rallying from a 3-0 deficit, Texas Tech had its defense spoil an upset bid on Sunday in the finale of the Houston College Classic at Minute Maid Park.

Texas Tech men vs. No. 6 KansasAbout the game: Kansas will honor five seniors in their home finale - Jeremy Case, Sasha Kaun, Darnell Jackson, Russell Robinson and Rodrick Stewart. ... The Jayhawks have won 23 consecutive games on Senior Night and 24 consecutive home finales (Kansas didn't have a senior last season). ... The Jayhawks lead the all-time series, 16-3. Texas Tech has never won at Allen Fieldhouse, going 0 for 9. Two of the Red Raiders' three wins against the Jayhawks have come in the last three meetings. ... Tech senior Martin Zeno is averaging 15.7 points and 5.3 rebounds per game in three games against Kansas. ... Only Damir Suljagic, Alan Voskuil, Michael Prince, Charlie Burgess and Zeno have faced Kansas. ... Kansas head coach Bill Self is 3-5 against the Red Raiders, 2-2 since becoming the head coach of the Jayhawks. ... Kansas has had a better field-goal percentage than its opponent in 28-of-29 games.